Standard and Poor’s raises Greece’s credit rating

Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has raised the credit rating of Greece’s sovereign debt by six levels, praising the “strong determination” of fellow eurozone countries to help it stay as a member state. Standard and Poor’s has increased Greece’s rating from “selective default” to “B-minus”, according to the (BBC). The agency also praised the continuing efforts by Greece’s government to cut its spending. Greece is currently receiving the second of two bailouts. So far, Greece has received nearly 149bn euros from the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund, out of that 240bn euros. Standard and Poor’s said in its statement: “The upgrade reflects our view of the strong determination of European Economic and Monetary Union (eurozone) member states to preserve Greek membership in the eurozone. “The outlook on the long-term rating is stable, balancing our view of the government’s commitment to a fiscal and structural adjustment against the economic and political challenges of doing so.” Greece had to seek the bailouts to meet its debt repayments after years of overspending meant it could not keep up with its debt obligations. The negative market opinion of Greece’s situation only worsened its position, as it pushed up the yield, or level of interest, that the country had to offer on the sale of its new government bonds, in order to attract buyers.